What to expect on the day of your Hot Air Balloon flight

Ensuring your safety

Safety is our priority and we will not fly if weather conditions are not suitable. If your flight is cancelled because of bad weather, then you may rebook for another day or receive a full refund.

As weight is an important factor in a hot air balloon; passengers weighing 115 Kg or over attract a 50% surcharge. Due to safety factors, pregnant women or passengers weighing over 130kg cannot participate in hot air ballooning. Please see FAQ passenger limitations for more information.

Launch site and meeting times

Meeting times vary throughout the year as it is dependent on sunrise. Upon booking your balloon flight, you will receive a letter of confirmation stating the actual meeting time of the day.

Please note: There is free car parking at the Hotel’s underground car park.

Launch site will vary dependent on wind speed and direction of the day to allow city to country or country to city flights to be undertaken.

Estimated Meeting Times

Nov to Dec

Jan to Feb

Mar to Apr

May to Jun

Jul to Aug

Sep to Oct

4.00 – 4.15 am

4.15 – 4.45 am

4.45 – 5.15 am

5.30 – 6.00 am

5.30 – 5.15 am

5.00 – 4.30 am

Champagne restaurant breakfast and flight certificate

Included in your ballooning program is a restaurant breakfast with a hot cooked and continental breakfast at the Metro Hotel Ipswich International, at 43 South Street, Ipswich. During your breakfast, your pilot will present you with a personalised commemorative flight certificate and downloaded onto our laptop computer the in-flight balloon camera photos for viewing during breakfast, where you may purchase the balloon photo CD to conclude the morning’s activity.

What to bring and wear

We recommend comfortable layers of outdoor clothing to match the season, a hat, sunglasses and sturdy shoes for the morning dew. Please don’t forget to bring a camera / video camera to capture this wonderful experience (these items are your responsibility at all times). Bring plenty of film and charged batteries. NB.Open foot wear, (thongs / sandals) or high heels are not permitted for safety reasons. We strongly recommend not to wear white clothing.